Hearts Across Halls

Chapter 9

Elara was definitely not as drunk as she needed to be at that moment. Around her, everyone was singing, arms raised high with drinks in hand, but she felt out of sync with the energy of the room.

Luca had been cold toward her ever since their brief encounter in the hallway, and it was gnawing at Elara. Rationally, she knew she had no reason to feel guilty-she wasn't tied to anyone. But maybe she was starting to understand what everyone meant when they said Luca had a crush on her.

Emmy, quietly swaying to the music, had been watching Elara for a while. It pained her to see Elara looking so lost. After a few more moments of observation, Emmy decided to take action, pulling Elara aside to the nearest corner.

"Are you okay?" Emmy asked, concern evident in her voice.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," Elara replied, though her tone was far from convincing.

"Come on, I've been watching you all night. You were fine in the kitchen earlier, and now you're clearly not. Did Charlie say something to you?"

"No, no, it's not about Charlie. It's..."

"Luca," Emmy nodded, a look of realisation dawning on her face.

"I feel bad," Elara admitted quietly, her voice nearly drowned out by the pounding club music.

"Why?" Emmy pressed gently.

"I don't even know," Elara sighed. "I've been clear with Charlie about what I want, and I don't think I've given Luca any reason to think I'm into him. I belong to no one, but I still feel like I'm hurting them both."

"And you seriously don't like either of them like that?" Emmy asked, searching Elara's face.

"I don't know," Elara replied, frustration seeping into her words. "I enjoy their friendship, but I don't want anything more from either of them."

"But you kiss Charlie, right?"

Elara sighed again, this time with more weight. "Yes, but it's just a peck, nothing more. I can't really explain why I do it, but I know for sure I don't want a boyfriend or anything serious right now."

Emmy exhaled sharply and glanced down at her toes, hesitant to speak.

"Okay, so... don't hate me or the girls, but when you went to the bathroom earlier, we kind of told Charlie that you definitely love him but might be too shy to admit it," Emmy confessed, wincing as she did.

Elara groaned, her stomach lurching as if she had just dropped on a rollercoaster.

"I'm really sorry-we genuinely thought you had feelings for him," Emmy added quickly.

"Oh God, what am I going to say to him?" Elara paused, anxiety creeping into her voice. "I mean... I've told him so many times that I'm not looking for anything, so hopefully, he doesn't believe it."

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It was past midnight, and they were still at the club. Elara was doing her best to mask how she truly felt. Luca still hadn't spoken to her, while Charlie wouldn't stop talking to her. Charlie seemed completely oblivious to the tension, but Elara had a strong suspicion that Luca knew something was up-she'd caught him staring at her several times throughout the night, his expression still stern.

"Let's dance," Charlie suggested, his tone upbeat.

"I don't know... I don't think I'm drunk enough to dance right now," Elara said with a soft smile, trying to deflect.

"Nonsense!" Charlie laughed, grabbing his drink and thrusting it toward her. Elara accepted it eagerly, hoping to drown out her conflicting emotions.

After downing the drink, they made their way to the center of the dance floor, squeezed in tightly among other club-goers.

Elara tried her best to loosen up, but she could feel herself tensing, her movements awkward and forced. She probably looked ridiculous, but Charlie didn't seem to care.

Then, in a bold move, Charlie lifted her arms and draped them around his neck, resting his own hands on her waist as he guided her in a slow dance.

Elara's stomach churned. She couldn't take it anymore. She quickly pulled away.

"I think I need some air," she blurted out before rushing toward the exit.

"Wait!" Charlie called after her, following her outside, but Elara kept going, desperate to escape.

Eventually, Charlie caught up and grabbed her arm, stopping her from going any further.

"What's going on?" he asked, concern in his voice.

"Nothing, I just don't feel so good," Elara replied, avoiding eye contact.

"I think I know what's really going on," Charlie said with a knowing smile.

Elara finally looked at him, her heart pounding as he continued, "Your friends talked to me earlier."

Oh no.

Elara's heart raced even faster, panic rising within her.

Charlie stepped forward, cupping her face in his hands, holding her in place. Then, without warning, he kissed her. Passionately.

Elara recoiled, struggling to push him away.

"No, I don't want that!" she shouted.

Charlie looked stunned. "What?"

Elara couldn't bear to be too harsh, so she tried to soften the blow.

"I'm just... not ready for that. I've never gone so far with anyone, and I'm not comfortable," she said, hoping it would make things easier.

Relief washed over Charlie's face as he smiled apologetically. "Okay, I'm sorry."

Elara wasn't entirely lying-she was nervous about taking things further-but deep down, she knew she didn't want to take that step with him.

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An hour later, they finally made it home. Elara thanked Charlie outside, relieved that he didn't insist on coming in.

As soon as she entered her room, she collapsed onto the bed, her mind spinning with thoughts of how to untangle the mess she found herself in.

After a few minutes, she forced herself up, slipping off her dress and haphazardly pulling on her pajamas. She wandered into the bathroom and stared at her reflection, noting how her makeup had started to smudge. Without hesitation, she began wiping it away.

Ten minutes later, Elara was back in bed, feeling a little more refreshed but no less troubled.

She sighed, her mind racing again, only to be interrupted by the buzzing of her phone.

A text. From Luca.

"Come to my room."